Technology Offer of TU Berlin

Catalyst material for Fuel Cells, Electrolyzers, and a Manufacturing Process therefore

Patent #17058/TUB
Background
For broad applications of fuel cells and electrolyzers as regenerative energy storage and conversion systems, the catalysis of oxygen-based reactions is decisive. A possible long-term application requires the catalysis of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) as well as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Catalysts of today facilitate only one or the other.
Technical Description
The invention presented here combines two catalysts, meeting both requirements in this way. The hereby utilized metals are common used transition metals and therefore cost-efficient. Both catalysts don’t compete and therefore show no significant impairment for their specific catalyzed reactions. The graphitic substrate also doesn’t experience carbon corrosion, usually posing an enormous problem for the longevity of the electrode. The manufacturing takes place with a catalyst ink, forming the catalyst material on the substrate with common processes.
Possible Applications
Reversible fuel cells, energy conversion systems, alkaline-air-batteries
Schematic sectional view of a modular regenerative fuel cell (URFC) in the preferred design.
Benefits
  1. Cost-efficient metals
  2. Easy manufacturing
  3. OER and ORR with a single catalyst
  4. [...] further benefits online
Technology Readiness Level Technology validated in lab (TRL: 4)
Property Rights
pending: CN, US
approved: DE, FR, GB, JP
Patent Holder
Technische Universität Berlin
Possible Cooperation
  • R&D Cooperation
  • Patent Purchase
  • Licensing
Contact Details
Ina KrügerTechnology Transfer Manager
+49 (0)30 314-75916ina.krueger@tu-berlin.de
All Techoffers: techoffers.tu-berlin.de